Cultural Experience in Fes with a Local Family / Home-Hosted Dinner

Fes is the intellectual capital city of Morocco, the oldest city that Idriss I founded during the 8th–9th centuries. Fes is a city with a rich history and diverse culture that has something to offer for each visitor. The best way to explore the real culture of a particular people is by exposing yourself to their life.

Moroccan hospitality is renowned for its warmth, generosity, and the importance placed on welcoming guests. Hospitality is deeply ingrained in Moroccan culture and is considered a fundamental value.

Here are some aspects of Moroccan hospitality:

Tea Ceremony (Ataye): One of the most iconic expressions of Moroccan hospitality is the serving of tea, known as “ataye.” This ritual involves the preparation and serving of mint tea, which is an integral part of socializing. The host takes great pride in offering tea to guests, and it symbolizes friendship and hospitality.

Warm Welcome: Moroccans are known for their warm greetings. When entering someone’s home or shop, it is customary to exchange pleasantries, inquire about each other’s well-being, and offer traditional greetings like “Salam alaykum” (Peace be upon you). This establishes a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Invitations to Homes: Moroccans often invite guests into their homes, even if the visit is unplanned. It is considered impolite to refuse such invitations, and guests are expected to accept with gratitude. Once inside, guests are treated like family.

Feasting and Sharing Meals: Food plays a significant role in Moroccan hospitality. Guests are typically served abundant and delicious meals. Moroccans take pride in sharing their local cuisine, which often includes tagines, couscous, and a variety of flavorful dishes. It’s common for people to eat together from a communal dish, fostering a sense of unity.

Attentiveness to Guests’ Needs: Hosts go out of their way to ensure their guests feel comfortable. They are attentive to guests’ needs, making sure they have everything required for a pleasant stay. This may include providing extra blankets, offering guidance on local customs, or assisting with travel arrangements.

Gift Giving: It is customary for guests to bring small gifts when visiting someone’s home. This can be a token of appreciation for the hospitality extended. Similarly, hosts may offer gifts to departing guests as a gesture of goodwill.

Respect for Elders: Respect for elders is deeply rooted in Moroccan culture. It is common for younger generations to show deference and courtesy to older individuals, whether they are family members or guests.

Inclusive Atmosphere: Moroccan hospitality extends beyond the immediate family, often encompassing neighbors, friends, and even strangers. There is a sense of community, and people are generally welcoming to newcomers.

In summary, Moroccan hospitality is a rich tapestry of customs and traditions that reflect the country’s cultural values. The emphasis on warmth, generosity, and making guests feel at home creates a memorable experience for those fortunate enough to be recipients of this hospitality.

An Experience of joining a local family in Fes and spending a memorable time with them is the best choice to deep into the true Moroccan Culture.

You will meet a local family in Fes at their home. You will be greeted by a Moroccan mint tea and go through a long conversation talking about Moroccan Culture, talking about different subjects, within the conversation, you can ask anything you want to know about the Moroccan family and lifestyle. While you’re with the family, you can take pictures with the special Moroccan design based on the traditional Zellige, also, you can wear traditional Moroccan clothes (Jellaba, Caftan, Belgha, Trbouch, etc). At the end of your experience, you will share a delicious dinner with the family for an unforgettable local experience with a Moroccan Family.